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CANDU passive shutdown systems

Abstract

CANDU incorporates two diverse, passive shutdown systems, independent of each other and from the reactor regulating system. Both shutdown systems function in the low pressure, low temperature, moderator which surrounds the fuel channels. The shutdown systems are functionally different, physically separate, and passive since the driving force for SDS1 is gravity and the driving force for SDS2 is stored energy. The physics of the reactor core itself ensures a degree of passive safety in that the relatively long prompt neutron generation time inherent in the design of CANDU reactors tend to retard power excursions and reduces the speed required for shutdown action, even for large postulated reactivity increases. All passive systems include a number of active components or initiators. Hence, an important aspect of passive systems is the inclusion of fail safe (activated by active component failure) operation. The mechanisms that achieve the fail safe action should be passive. Consequently the passive performance of the CANDU shutdown systems extends beyond their basic modes of operation to include fail safe operation based on natural phenomenon or stored energy. For example, loss of power to the SDS1 clutches results in the drop of the shutdown rods by gravity, loss of power or  More>>
Authors:
Hart, R S; Olmstead, R A [1] 
  1. AECL CANDU, Sheridan Park Research Community, Mississauga, ON (Canada)
Publication Date:
Dec 01, 1996
Product Type:
Conference
Report Number:
IAEA-TECDOC-920; CONF-9411339-
Reference Number:
SCA: 210400; PA: AIX-28:021869; EDB-97:039826; SN: 97001747557
Resource Relation:
Conference: Advisory group meeting on technical feasibility and reliability of passive safety systems for nuclear power plants, Juelich (Germany), 21-24 Nov 1994; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Technical feasibility and reliability of passive safety systems for nuclear power plants. Proceedings of an advisory group meeting; PB: 357 p.
Subject:
21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; CANDU TYPE REACTORS; REACTOR SAFETY; REACTOR SHUTDOWN; PRESSURE DEPENDENCE; SAFETY ENGINEERING; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
OSTI ID:
443194
Research Organizations:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
Country of Origin:
IAEA
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 1011-4289; Other: ON: DE97615987; TRN: XA9743162021869
Availability:
INIS; OSTI as DE97615987
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
pp. 99-111
Announcement Date:
Mar 20, 1997

Citation Formats

Hart, R S, and Olmstead, R A. CANDU passive shutdown systems. IAEA: N. p., 1996. Web.
Hart, R S, & Olmstead, R A. CANDU passive shutdown systems. IAEA.
Hart, R S, and Olmstead, R A. 1996. "CANDU passive shutdown systems." IAEA.
@misc{etde_443194,
title = {CANDU passive shutdown systems}
author = {Hart, R S, and Olmstead, R A}
abstractNote = {CANDU incorporates two diverse, passive shutdown systems, independent of each other and from the reactor regulating system. Both shutdown systems function in the low pressure, low temperature, moderator which surrounds the fuel channels. The shutdown systems are functionally different, physically separate, and passive since the driving force for SDS1 is gravity and the driving force for SDS2 is stored energy. The physics of the reactor core itself ensures a degree of passive safety in that the relatively long prompt neutron generation time inherent in the design of CANDU reactors tend to retard power excursions and reduces the speed required for shutdown action, even for large postulated reactivity increases. All passive systems include a number of active components or initiators. Hence, an important aspect of passive systems is the inclusion of fail safe (activated by active component failure) operation. The mechanisms that achieve the fail safe action should be passive. Consequently the passive performance of the CANDU shutdown systems extends beyond their basic modes of operation to include fail safe operation based on natural phenomenon or stored energy. For example, loss of power to the SDS1 clutches results in the drop of the shutdown rods by gravity, loss of power or instrument air to the injection valves of SDS2 results in valve opening via spring action, and rigorous self checking of logic, data and timing by the shutdown systems computers assures a fail safe reactor trip through the collapse of a fluctuating magnetic field or the discharge of a capacitor. Event statistics from operating CANDU stations indicate a significant decrease in protection system faults that could lead to loss of production and elimination of protection system faults that could lead to loss of protection. This paper provides a comprehensive description of the passive shutdown systems employed by CANDU. (author). 4 figs, 3 tabs.}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1996}
month = {Dec}
}